Machu Picchu is NOT Closing in 2016: Clarifying the Rumors

When you Google “Machu Picchu”, does it suggest “Machu Picchu closing 2015/2016”? And then, are you instantly filled with a sense of panic that your dream trip is about to be ruined? Welcome to the club. An article was recently published in Spanish on Andina Agencia Peruana de Noticias that discussed the temporary closure of a couple of treks atop Machu Picchu, which was then incorrectly translated into English (and published on Peru This Week National News) declaring to the world that Machu Picchu itself would be closing for restoration (more specifically, in April 2016). We’ve gotten to the bottom of it, and never fear, because Machu Picchu will remain open far into the foreseeable future for all of you visitors. But, some things will be closing in April 2016. Here’s what that article was trying to say.

Maintenance closures will take place between two trails on top of Machu Picchu, staggered over the month of April 2016, but the main mountain itself and the main ruins will remain open. The truth: the closures will only be of two “optional trails” that are not even included in main entrance tickets.

That means:

From April 1st to April 15th, Huayna Picchu mountain will be closed for restoration.

From April 16th to April 30th, Machu Picchu mountain will be closed for restoration.

Machu Picchu itself: Remaining open 365 for all of 2016!

Almost 3,000 visitors come to Machu Picchu every day, and only 400 are allowed on each of these per day, so a majority of visitors see neither anyways and will therefore be completely unaffected. And, because the restorations are staggered, only one hike will be closed at a time. With the other remaining open, you can still fight your way to reserve one of the 400 tickets that are already hard to get so you can see those iconic views!

Even if this does slightly impact your trip, we know that everyone can appreciate the importance of preserving this important archaeological site and the necessity of maintenance like this.

Advice

We spoke with some of our travel specialists about this, and here is what they recommend:

Obviously, it will be very busy if you plan to visit Machu Picchu and want to snag one of the tickets for the hike that remains open, but if that’s not part of your plan anyways, then this could be an ideal time to visit. Many tourists seem to be blocking out this time as if Machu Picchu were closed altogether (even though, as we mentioned, a majority wouldn’t be heading up to one of the closing treks anyways), so chances are it could end up being a slower month despite being in the midst of the high season.

If you’re set on trekking the Inca Trail, for example, it may not be as hard to get one of the 500 daily limited passes for that as it might usually be. We’ll have to see how it all pans out, but as of now it’s looking like things will slow down for the month, if for no other reason than the fact that the first article confused everybody into thinking all of Machu Picchu would be closed!

Want to take advantage of the spots opening up during this time? Talk to one of our travel specialists about enjoying this “low season” in the high season and we can book your trek, entrance tickets, or even an entire tour today so you can make the most of it and enjoy the fact that Machu Picchu will remain open in April 2016!